Record-Breaking Give Day Makes a Difference

UC Davis last weekend called on Aggies everywhere — including students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni and friends — to give on the second annual UC Davis Give Day, which coincided with the university’s largest event of the year, Picnic Day. Benefiting students, programs and initiatives in nearly all UC Davis colleges, schools and units, including UC Davis Health, the event themed “Every Aggie Counts: Combined, we change the world” raised more than $1.7 million from 4,047 gifts. That is more than $450,000 and 1,000 gifts over last year’s Give Day totals!

"I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all who gave so generously on UC Davis Give Day,” Chancellor Gary S. May said. “I am proud to be leading a community that cares deeply about supporting education, research and public service. Your gifts will support the many ways UC Davis is changing the world.”

To encourage participation in the event, UC Davis Give Day featured 110 donor challenges across the university totaling more than $1 million. The event was also made possible by hundreds of volunteers who promoted it on social media and in-person.

“UC Davis’ second annual Give Day was a terrific success, thanks in large part to our established donors who provided challenge gifts across UC Davis and UC Davis Health. Their leadership, along with the generosity of everyone who gave and volunteered, helped us surpass last year’s Give Day success and make a remarkable difference on the future of UC Davis,” said Shaun Keister, vice chancellor of Development and Alumni Relations.

Give Day benefited UC Davis Health, all schools and colleges, student programs including Intercollegiate Athletics, the UC Davis Library, We Are Aggie Pride, the Cal Aggie Alumni Association, the Arboretum and Public Garden and several other units. The College of Letters and Science ($347,314, 302 gifts) and Athletics ($282,634, 1,917 gifts) topped the leaderboards for both dollars raised and gifts received.

Donors from all over the country participated. Employees also made a significant impact, with more than 650 employees giving to their passions at UC Davis, totaling more than $110,000.

“As UC Davis employees, we have so much to be proud of,” said Kate Shasky, chair of the Employee Giving Committee and Staff Assembly. “And today I’m particularly encouraged by my colleagues and other members of the UC Davis community who participated in Give Day. Together, we supported our passions and pushed UC Davis toward a brighter future.”